“This is a hell of a situation,” he said when José finished his narrative.
“Yeah,” Ross agreed.
“How close are you to finding out who did this?” Roberto asked grimly.
“No way of telling.” Ross shrugged. “I still have people to interview and leads to follow.”
Ross continued to speak but Roberto didn’t hear him. Distracted, his gaze was focused through the archway and across the dining room, his dark face solemn and intent.
Across the busy main room of Red Restaurant, hidden in the shadows, two figures watched the chattering, laughing groups of celebrants. Frowns of dislike twisted each face into matching expressions of irritation.
“Despite all this celebrating, I have it on good authority the Fortunes are concerned and taking the threats seriously.”
“They seem to have changed their attitude since the second fire—which was a brilliant move, if I say so myself. If this were a chess game, I’d say we’re very close to declaring checkmate.” The voice held satisfaction.
“Yes.” The response was smug, with a hint of gloating. “The Fortunes think they’re so smart and powerful. Well, we’ll see who wins in the end.”
“I don’t doubt the Fortunes will lose this game. Perhaps we should step up the plan? Raise the stakes—rattle the Fortunes even more. We have to make sure our position is secure.”
“Are you saying the measures we’ve taken up to this point haven’t been sufficiently threatening?” The words were laced with hostility.
“No, of course not.” The response was instant and faintly irritated. “The Fortune family’s sense of well-being has clearly been damaged. I’m merely suggesting it might be wise to push them even harder.”
“I see your point.”
“Excellent.” The word oozed satisfaction. “I’m sure if we decide to plan another…incident, we can execute it every bit as well as the prior ones.”
“Absolutely.” Conviction and a bone-chilling malice underscored the word.
Nick and Charlene left the party early, but even so, the hour was late for the triplets and past their bedtime. The three nodded off in their car seats on the drive home.
By the time Charlene and Nick carried the girls into the house, changed diapers and tucked the babies into their pajamas, the fractious girls were overtired and too awake to fall back to sleep.
“Why don’t I take Jessie and Jenny downstairs,” Nick said. “I’ll turn on the music and walk the floor with them while you rock Jenny up here. When she falls asleep, you can put her in her crib. With luck, one of my two will be asleep by then and we can each deal with one.”
“Good plan,” Charlene agreed. She was settling into the rocking chair as Nick left the room. A few moments later, Norah Jones’s husky voice floated up the stairwell. Charlene contemplated switching on the audio sensor in the bedroom to activate the nearest speaker. But the music was loud enough without the added sound, so she rejected the idea and cuddled Jenny, singing along with Norah Jones.
Jenny squirmed and fussed, unhappy, frustrated, and much too tired to settle. Finally, her eyelashes drifted lower and her breathing slowed. Five minutes later, Jenny’s sturdy little body had gone boneless in Charlene’s arms.
Rising from the rocker, Charlene carried her across the room and laid her in her crib, tucking her blanket over her. Jenny sighed and curled onto her side, dragging her blanket with her to cuddle the satin binding against her cheek.
Charlene stood over the crib for a moment, struck by the deep sense of contentment the moment held. Then she headed downstairs.
In the living room, Nick walked back and forth with a baby against each shoulder. Jackie and Jessie were still awake, their cheeks stained with tears, but their eyes were half-closed and their blankets hugged close.
“How’s it going?” Charlene said softly.
“Another few minutes and they’ll be out for the count.” Nick tipped his head to look at Jackie, whose face was nearly hidden behind her blanket in the curve of his shoulder. “If you’ll take her, I’ll walk Jessie for a little longer.”
They managed the handoff without rousing either child, and barely a half hour later they had tucked the two sleeping little girls into their cribs, then tiptoed quietly out of the room.
“Well…” Charlene tucked her hair behind one ear and gestured vaguely. “It’s been a long day.”
“Yeah, it has.” Nick shoved his hands in his slacks pockets. “Thanks for helping out with the girls. I really appreciate it.”
She couldn’t read his face, although instinct told her there was suppressed emotion behind his polite remote expression.
“I was glad to do it. And it was a pleasure meeting your family—and the Mendozas and all their friends.” She smiled, willing him to let whatever he was feeling break through the impassive facade. “I enjoyed myself—and I think the girls did too.”
A faint smile curved his mouth, lightening his expression and easing the hard lines of his face. “They would have enjoyed themselves more if we’d let them climb on top of the table and play in the guacamole bowls.”
“I’m sure they would,” she said wryly. “Fortunately for the rest of the guests, we managed to restrain them.”
His smile faded, his eyes hooded as he looked at her with an intensity she felt as surely as if he’d stroked his hand over her skin.
“Well…” she said, suddenly strung with nerves. “I’ll see you in the morning, then. Good night.”
She reached her bedroom door before he responded.
“Good night.”
The simple words held dark undertones that shivered up her spine like a caress. She didn’t look back, only slipped quickly inside and closed the door with the distinct impression that she’d just avoided danger.
Living in the same house with Nick Fortune was fraught with temptation. And she was a woman who had little resistance when it came to the undeniably handsome bachelor.
As she’d learned such a short time ago. During that mind-numbing kiss in the kitchen.
Nick hadn’t spent his bachelor years avoiding women, she knew. The man could kiss. Just the memory of his mouth on hers made her toes curl and her heart pound.
Since she had very few defenses against Nick, she could only hope his commitment to keep them at arm’s length while they worked together held fast.
Because she wasn’t at all sure she could withstand him if he crooked his finger and smiled at her to lure her closer.
Chapter Eight
B oth Nick and Charlene were hyperaware that their time with the triplets was running out. Much too quickly the days flew by, and all too soon the much-awaited telephone call was received. The babies’ aunt and uncle had arrived, checked into a local hotel and wanted to arrange a time to come to the house.
Fortunately, it was Sunday morning and the timing was right. Nick was home, stretched out on the living-room floor while he stacked blocks with the triplets. The girls happily knocked them over as soon as he built a tower, then crawled after the rolling blocks to toss them back at him. Charlene sat on the sofa, smiling at their antics. She jumped nervously when the doorbell rang, her gaze flying to meet Nick’s.
“You stay here with the girls. I’ll get the door.”
Wordlessly, she nodded and Nick left the room. She heard the door open and the quick murmur of voices. A moment later, Nick ushered a man and woman into the living room.
“Charlene, this is Lana Berland and her husband, John,” Nick said as they approached. He bent and lifted Jackie into his arms. “This is Jackie. Charlene’s holding Jenny—and Jessie is trying to chew the remote control for the stereo system. Jessie, give me that.” He bent his knees and scooped the little girl up to perch on his arm. She instantly patted his face and burbled a stream of unintelligible chatter. “Yes, I know, honey, but you can’t chew the remote. If you ate it, you’d wind up with plastic rash somewhere.”
The three adults, watching him, burst into laughter at the same ti
me, breaking the awkwardness of the moment.
“They’re such beautiful babies,” Lana said, her eyes welling as she looked at them. “They look so much like their parents. They have Amy’s eyes and Stan’s black hair.”
“Would you like to hold Jessie?” Charlene asked.
“Oh, yes, please.” Lana eagerly held out her arms but the little girl clung to Charlene, burying her face against Charlene’s neck.
“Perhaps she needs a bit more time to get used to you,” Charlene suggested, seeing Lana’s stricken expression. “Won’t you have a seat?” She gestured at the sofa and perched on the chair with Jessie when Lana sat on the nearby end of the leather couch.
“They’re shy with new people,” Nick comented, taking a seat on the far end of the sofa with Jackie and Jenny.
“They couldn’t remember us,” Lana said, glancing at John. “We were back in the States shortly after they were born, but then we left for Africa. We’d planned to return in December to spend Christmas with Stan and Amy this year…” Her voice broke and she faltered.
John sat beside her and took her hand, threading her fingers through his.
“It was a huge shock to hear about Stan and Amy, as I’m sure you understand,” he said quietly. “Lana hasn’t had time to come to terms with it.”
“I understand,” Nick said, the bones of his face suddenly more prominent, his jaw tight. “I’m not sure how long it’s supposed to take, but a week certainly isn’t enough time.”
“No,” Lana said softly, her eyes filled with compassion and empathy.
“I understand you two were stranded by flooding,” Nick said, abruptly changing the conversation. “How long were you cut off?”
Lana and John seemed relieved at Nick’s steering the conversation away from the tragedy that had brought them all together. For the next half hour, they chatted companionably about the flooding and the political situation in the area of southern Africa where Lana and John had lived and worked. They also discussed the triplets as Nick and Charlene related episodes that had all four adults laughing.
When Nick told them about the girls’ difficulty sleeping through the night and using music to quiet them, Lana clapped her hands with appreciation.
“What a brilliant solution,” she said with admiration. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Amy and Stan used some of the same music.”
“I don’t know if they’ve always been little night owls or if they were upset by the drastic changes in their lives,” Nick said. “The court temporarily placed them with a foster mother in Amarillo for several days after the accident before I picked them up and brought them here. It has to be confusing for them—so I guess we shouldn’t complain about their not sleeping at first.”
“That brings up something John and I wanted to talk to you about,” Lana said. She looked at her husband, then back at Nick. “We spent most of the plane ride home discussing how to make the transition with the least impact on the girls.”
Charlene saw Nick’s body go taut. She doubted Lana or John noticed, but she recognized the telltale signs. She too braced herself.
“As you said, their lives have been terribly disrupted already and by switching their home and caretakers, yet again, we’re going to upset their schedules. We thought perhaps the best way might be to ease them into the transition—by having them remain with you for several days, perhaps a week, while John and I visit daily. That would give the girls time to grow accustomed to our being around and allow us to ease into their lives. If the change isn’t quite as abrupt, hopefully the stress of transition for the girls will be less when they come to live with us full-time.”
Some of the tenseness eased out of Nick’s body. “Sounds like a reasonable plan.” His gaze met Charlene’s for a moment. “I’ve wondered whether they’ll be okay with another sudden shift in their living arrangements. I’m sure Charlene has too.”
“Yes, I have,” Charlene acknowledged, swept with relief that Lana and John’s first concern was for the triplets’ welfare. Something cold and scared inside her chest eased and she drew a deep breath. “Will you be taking them back to Amarillo?”
“We haven’t had time to make definite plans, but that seems the most reasonable choice. We’re temporarily without jobs, or a home—my sister’s estate is left to the girls under our guardianship and their house in Amarillo is available, of course.” She glanced at her husband and once again, he squeezed her hand comfortingly. “John and I don’t have any personal ties there, now that Amy and Stan are gone.” She blinked back tears.
“We don’t have to decide all the details right this minute, sweetheart,” John murmured, slipping an arm around his wife’s shoulders.
Jessie chattered, squirming. Charlene shifted her grip on the little girl.
“What is it?” she asked before she realized Jackie and Jenny were also fussing. She glanced at her watch. “It’s nearly twelve—time for the girls’ lunch.” Her gaze met Nick’s. “Would you like me to feed them while you discuss arrangements with Lana and John?”
“I think we’ll have time to work out details over the next few days. Why don’t we all go into the kitchen and make lunch.” Nick surged to his feet, bringing Jackie and Jenny with him. “Might as well start getting the girls more comfortable with their aunt and uncle.” His lips quirked in a grin. “There’s nothing like dodging strained carrots to bring a one-year-old closer to an adult—especially when one of the triplets starts and the other two join in because they think it’s hilariously funny. It’s a real bonding experience.” He lifted an eyebrow at John. “Have any objections to getting applesauce in your hair?”
“None,” John said promptly, his eyes twinkling.
“Good.” Nick waved the three adults ahead of him. “We need to find something to cover you with, Lana, or the dress you’re wearing is going to have food all over it by the time the girls are done eating.”
Lana laughed. “Looks like I need an apron.”
“Melissa has one in the kitchen—I’ll get it for you,” Charlene said as they all trooped out of the living room and down the hall.
During the following days, Nick and Charlene had time to get to know Lana and John. Observing their interaction with the triplets put to rest any lingering fears as to how well the couple would cope as parents.
On the last night the triplets would spend at Nick’s home, Charlene couldn’t fall asleep. She tried reading a new novel, but was too restless to sink into the story. Giving up, she put the book aside and booted up her laptop. Her efforts to focus on updating her resume and making job-search lists were no more successful than her earlier attempts to read.
She found herself staring blankly at the screen. This is probably the last night I’ll spend here, she thought, her gaze leaving the laptop to move around the comfortable room.
And the last night I’ll sleep in Nick’s house.
Would she see him again after the triplets left with Lana and John?
Probably not, she acknowledged, her heart twisting with regret and pain. Her job would end when Nick no longer needed her help with the babies.
No more shared laughter with Nick over the babies’ antics. No more shared outings, like their walk to the coffee shop or the evening at Red.
And no more unexpected hot kisses with early-morning coffee.
Tears clogged the back of her throat. She’d never know what those kisses might have led to—Nick was clearly determined not to get involved with her. She had to focus on saying goodbye to the triplets—and then move on.
She closed her files, shut down the laptop and moved it to the bedside table before she switched off the lamp. She fluffed her pillow, tugged the sheet higher, and determinedly closed her eyes.
A half hour later, she checked the digital clock for the third time and groaned aloud. The luminescent dial told her the time was twelve-thirty in the a.m.
Frustrated, she stared at the ceiling and tried counting sheep. Their woolly shapes quickly morphed into babies with black c
urls and sparkling blue eyes. All of them looked exactly like Jackie, Jenny and Jessie.
Muttering, she pulled her pillow over her head and tried not to picture adorable laughing triplets.
The muffled sound of music penetrated the soft down-filled pillow. Clearly, the audio system had activated in the triplets’ room.
Perhaps she shouldn’t be glad she would have this one last chance to check on them in the dark hours of night, she thought as she left her bedroom and crossed the hall. But somehow, she couldn’t regret that one of them had wakened.
The door to their bedroom was ajar and she slipped inside noiselessly, only to halt abruptly.
Nick stood next to Jenny’s crib, the little girl cradled against his chest. His head was bent, lips touching the crown of her silky curls as he gently rocked her in his arms.
Charlene’s heart caught and tears welled. Clearly, she wasn’t the only one having a hard time letting the girls go.
Unwilling to intrude on Nick’s privacy, she turned to leave.
His head lifted and he glanced over his shoulder.
She stopped, held by the intensity in his dark eyes, shadowed further by the dim night-light.
“I didn’t know you were here,” she said softly, whispering so as not to wake the babies. “I heard the music and thought I’d make sure the girls were okay.”
Nick nodded and carefully lowered Jenny into her crib. She stirred, curling on her side on the white sheet with its pattern of pink bunnies in flowered hats.
He tucked her blanket closer. She clutched it tightly and sighed, her eyes closed, her limbs sprawling as she fell more deeply asleep.
Nick joined Charlene at the door and motioned her outside, pausing to pull the door nearly closed.
“If I’d known you were here, I wouldn’t have interrupted,” she whispered.
“Don’t worry about it.” He ran his hand over his hair, further rumpling it. “I didn’t mind checking on Jenny.”
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